EU Foreign, Security and Defence Policies at a Crossroads

In December 2013 the European Council launched a comprehensive process affecting the whole spectrum of the EU’s foreign, security and defence policies. The “EU Summit on Security and Defence” delivered the long-sought political backing to develop important capabilities and enhance military cooperation and collaboration. Whether the EU will actually end up more self-reliant militarily and more capable a partner in international crisis management depends on the way the Summit outcome is implemented. This follow-up phase is fragile : disagreement on key objectives among EU member states, cloaked in vague Council provisions or unclear timelines, could resurface and delay implementation or even prevent progress altogether. In view of the comprehensive efforts invested in the Summit, such failure could prove fatal for the goal to revive European security and defence in the framework of the EU ; frustrated member states could end up exploring other means or forums to achieve their goals. The EU has thus reached a crossroads : it can acquire the necessary capabilities, cooperate and accept responsibility as a resourceful global partner, or it can concede defence and robust crisis management to others and seek shelter in the global periphery.1